A level Physics Years 12 and 13
Specification
OCR - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/171726-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-physics-a-h556.pdf
The course is intended to satisfy the needs of all students who wish to study Physics to A Level as a preparation for higher study.
The aims of the course are to encourage students to:
Develop essential knowledge and understanding in Physics and, where appropriate, the applications of Physics, and the skills needed for the use of this in new and changing situations.
Appreciate how Physics has developed and is used in present day society.
Show the importance of Physics as a human endeavour which interacts with social, philosophical, economic and industrial matters.
Sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, Physics.
Recognise the quantitative nature of Physics and understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical principles.
Bring together knowledge of ways in which different areas of Physics relate to each other.
Study how scientific models develop.
Course Content
Year 12
| Content Overview | Assessment Overview | |
|---|---|---|
|
There are six teaching modules: |
Modelling Physics |
37% of total A Level |
|
Exploring Physics |
37% of total A Level |
|
|
Unified Physics |
26% of total A Level |
|
|
Practical Endorsement in Physics |
Reported separately |
|
Year 12
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Foundations of physics |
Physical quantities and units Making measurements and analysing data Nature of quantities |
Applying knowledge and understanding Analysing, interpreting and evaluating Making judgements and reaching conclusions |
| 1 | Development of practical skills in physics | Practical skills assessed in a written examination | |
| 1 | Forces and motion | Motion | |
| 1 | Electrons, waves and photons |
Charge and current Waves |
|
| 2 | Forces and motion |
Motion Forces in action |
As above |
| 2 | Electrons, waves and photons |
Electrical circuits Waves |
|
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 | Forces and motion |
Work, energy and power Materials |
As above |
| 1 | Electrons, waves and photons |
Energy, power and resistance Waves |
|
| 2 | Forces and motion |
Materials |
As above |
| 2 | Electrons, waves and photons | Quantum physics | |
| 2 | Development of practical skills in physics |
Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement Practical investigation |
|
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Forces and motion | Newton’s laws of motion and momentum | As above |
| 1 | Newtonian world and astrophysics | Thermal physics | |
| 1 | Development of practical skills in physics |
Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement Research article |
|
| 1 | Revision and Recap | ||
| 2 | Electrons, waves and photons | Quantum physics |
As above |
| 2 | Revision and Recap | ||
Year 13
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 |
Newtonian world and astrophysics |
Oscillations Gravitational fields |
Development of practical skills in physics Applying knowledge and understanding Analysing, interpreting and evaluating Making judgements and reaching conclusions |
| 1 | Particles and medical physics |
Electric fields |
As above |
| 2 |
Newtonian world and astrophysics |
Astrophysics and cosmology |
As above |
| 2 | Particles and medical physics |
Nuclear and particle physics Capacitors |
As above |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 |
Particles and medical physics |
Electromagnetism Medical imaging |
As above |
| 2 | Revision and Recap |
|
|
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Revision and Recap | ||
Assessments
| Resources | Topic | Type of assessment |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 1 | Motion, Waves and Quantities & Units | Written assessment |
| CAT 2 | All work so far | Written assessment |
| CAT 3 | All of Year 12 work | Mock examination |
| CAT 4 | All Y12 and 13 work | Written assessment |
| CAT 5 | All Y12 and 13 work | Mock examination |
| CAT 6 | A level examination |
Main Resources
| Resource | Details | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Recomended textbook | A level Physics for OCR (OXFORD University Press) | All |
| Recommended reading |
New Scientist |
All |
| Recommended websites |
alevelphysicsonline (login needed ask your Physics teacher) Echalk.com |
All |
Enrichment opportunities
| Activity | Day and time or term |
|---|---|
